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Despite the fact that he could miss all of the coming season due to an Achillies injury, the Brooklyn Nets decided to sign Kevin Durant to a four-year, $164 million dollar deal. Some teams were leery of Durant's injury, but the Nets' medical staff seems to be ready for the challenge.
Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks on the performance team’s willigness to work with Kevin Durant during his rehab:
"Every single person raised their hand and wanted the challenge."
— Christopher Lavinio (@ChrisLavinio) July 16, 2019
Exactly how long Durant will be out of commission is not clear at this point. Players who have experienced similar injuries have taken anywhere from one to two years to rehabilitate. Some players, however, never fully recover.
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Via Tim Cato and Mike Prada of SBNation:
According to a 2013 medical study that identified 18 players who suffered major Achilles injuries over a 23-year span (1988-2011), seven players never returned to the league. Players who returned missed an average of 56 games and saw their PER decline in their first and second seasons back. A 2015 CBS Sports article found that among 14 players who returned from Achilles injuries since 1992, they averaged fewer minutes while both their field goal and three-point percentages dropped, on average. There are very few complete success stories.
Though he is currently injured, there were still several teams interested in acquiring Durant. Ultimately, though, the 10-time All-Star chose to team up with Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. Irving, a native of New Jersey, will be playing near his hometown.
Durant will be working hard towards recovery, to be sure. When he gets there, the Nets will likely be one of the more dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference.
